Sexism and Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World with Jo Ann Finkelstein: Episode 164
Sep 4, 2024
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Jo Ann Finkelstein, a clinical psychologist and author dedicated to fighting sexism in parenting, shares valuable insights on raising empowered girls. She discusses her own childhood experiences with gender bias and how it shaped her understanding. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing and combating gender bias in parenting for both girls and boys. Jo Ann also addresses the complexities of beauty culture and offers strategies for encouraging girls’ self-expression while navigating safety and modesty in clothing choices.
Parents must be aware of their own gender biases to foster resilience and self-worth in both daughters and sons.
Teaching girls a healthy sense of entitlement empowers them to assert their needs and navigate societal pressures effectively.
Deep dives
Understanding Gender Bias
Society continues to grapple with pervasive sexism and gender bias, highlighting a need for increased awareness. Many parents may believe progress has been made, but reminders of underlying biases surface during discussions about women's roles in leadership, notably in politics. The idea that a woman could not win a presidential election emphasizes the belief that females are often viewed as less competent than their male counterparts. Recognizing these biases and their impact on self-perception is crucial for fostering resilience in both girls and boys.
Empowering Girls Through Awareness
Parents play a significant role in shaping their daughters' perceptions of their capabilities and worth. Subtle actions, such as interrupting daughters more than sons or often focusing conversations on appearance, can inadvertently convey messages of inferiority. This dynamic can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt as girls grow up. Therefore, being mindful of language and behavior at home can help cultivate a stronger sense of self-worth in young girls as they navigate a biased world.
Healthy Entitlement and Assertiveness
Teaching girls a healthy sense of entitlement is essential for their development into empowered women. This concept involves encouraging them to prioritize their needs and assert their opinions without fear of backlash. Conversations about the importance of being respected over being liked can empower them to stand firm in their beliefs, even in the face of opposition. Providing guidance on managing competition and acknowledging their accomplishments builds confidence and resilience.
Navigating Beauty Culture
Helping daughters navigate beauty culture requires a balance between self-expression and critical thinking. It is essential to foster an understanding of the societal pressures surrounding appearance while allowing them to explore personal style. Discussions should include recognizing how media influences perceptions of beauty, illustrating the idea that choices often come with underlying motivations driven by cultural expectations. By nurturing critical consumers of culture, parents can support their daughters in making informed decisions about their self-presentation.
In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I interview Jo Ann Finkelstein, a clinical psychologist, about her new book Sexism & Sensibility Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls In The Modern World. Listen in as we discuss how to address sexism and gender bias in our parenting of both girls and boys.
We talk about:
3:58 Jo Ann gives an example of gender bias she experienced growing up in her own home
9:58 Learned helplessness around sexism
10:00 How we can recognize our own gender bias
14:00 Pushback when women and girls challenge gender bias
17:00 Teaching girls a sense of healthy entitlement
22:37 Ways to raise sons who don’t perpetuate sexism
27:50 Complexities of beauty culture
31:30 How to handle comments about girls’ appearance
32:47 How we navigate our girls’ clothing choices
36:00 Finding a balance with safety and letting girls be who they are